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Evan Silva

NFL Draft Preview

2011 Combine Risers & Fallers

The Scouting Combine generates more interest every offseason. It was an especially publicized event this year because the NFL draft and its related events are the only sure things with no new Collective Bargaining Agreement on the horizon.

After undergoing three throwing-arm surgeries in his final two college seasons, Ponder's biggest pre-draft objectives were clear: stay healthy and pass medicals. He's done both, acing physicals at the Senior Bowl and Combine amidst lengthy stints on the MRI machine, and turning in terrific passing-drill performances. In Indianapolis, the consensus was that Ponder had the most accurate throwing session of any signal caller inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The ideal West Coast quarterback, Ponder emerges from the six-day affair gaining steam as a potential first-round pick.

Last week, we discussed Dareus' competition with Nick Fairley to be the first defensive tackle drafted. Coming out of the Combine, Dareus has emerged as the clear favorite. The former 3-4 college defensive end ran a 1.66 ten-yard split to best Fairley's time by a full tenth of a second, doing it with 28 more pounds on his frame than his SEC adversary. While Fairley opted out of the bench press altogether, Dareus hoisted 225 pounds 24 times with nearly 34-inch arms. Dareus is considered to possess a better motor and technique than Fairley, showed more up-field burst in Indy, and projects as a significantly superior run stopper. Dareus will go to Denver in our next mock draft.

Jones weighed in an inch shorter than his 6-foot-4 listing, but showed incredible explosiveness on the track. At 220 pounds, Jones ran 4.39 to rank third among receivers, and his 11'3" broad jump lapped the wideout field with only small-school flyer Edmund Gates (10'11") coming close. Jones also showed his trademark toughness, participating in all Combine drills on a broken foot. He needs surgery to repair the fracture, but has probably locked himself into the top-ten picks.

When receivers lined up for their forty-yard dashes Saturday morning, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock called Hankerson's "the most important time of the week." The 6-foot-2, 209-pound prospect proceeded to run the fourth fastest forty among wide receivers in Indianapolis, clocking in at 4.43. Also possessing the biggest hands (10 5/8") of any wideout at the Scouting Combine, Hankerson vaulted himself into consideration for the back end of the first round. Naysayers point to a drop or two in the Gauntlet Drill, but very few NFL decision makers put stock in that workout.

Even the Fighting Illini's closest supporters were stunned when Wilson declared for the draft, and as an underclassman ineligible for postseason all-star games, he needed a dominant Combine to make the decision worthwhile. Wilson delivered, running the best forty of any linebacker in Indy (4.49) at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. Wilson's speed is freakish, and at his position only surefire first-round picks Justin Houston and Von Miller showed more lower-body explosion in the standing long jump (10'4"). Wilson also benefits from being the cream of a weak inside linebacker crop.

Helu has flown well under the radar for a back who averaged 6.62 YPC in one of college football's most predictably run-first offenses, but stated his case to be a day-two pick in Indy. Running a 4.42 forty that ranked sixth among running backs, Helu also posted the best 20-yard shuttle time (4.01), fastest 60-yard shuttle (11.07), and second best three-cone drill (6.67). If folks are sleeping on the one-cut tackle breaker, it's not because of Helu's size (6'0/219) or respectable pass-catching background (54 career receptions). Some team is going to get a steal this April.

No player in this draft class can touch LeGree's 22 career interceptions, but as an FCS small-schooler there were plenty of questions about his athleticism. LeGree didn't burn up the track with his 4.56 forty, but it was the second fastest among all safeties in Indianapolis. Also weighing in at a solid 5'11 1/2" and 210 pounds, LeGree is on the radar as a possible third-round pick.

Fannin never topped 84 carries in a college season and played behind freshman Michael Dyer for last year's BCS champs, but his measurables are intriguing. At 5'10/231, Fannin turned in the second fastest forty time (4.38) among running backs, behind only injury-prone Maryland carry sharer Da'Rel Scott. Fannin is built to pass protect and is Auburn's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards by a running back. He has the look of a homerun-hitting third-down ace.

More Fannin measurables: 9 1/2" hands, 37 1/2" vertical

The Scouting Combine generates more interest every offseason. It was an especially publicized event this year because the NFL draft and its related events are the only sure things with no new Collective Bargaining Agreement on the horizon.

After undergoing three throwing-arm surgeries in his final two college seasons, Ponder's biggest pre-draft objectives were clear: stay healthy and pass medicals. He's done both, acing physicals at the Senior Bowl and Combine amidst lengthy stints on the MRI machine, and turning in terrific passing-drill performances. In Indianapolis, the consensus was that Ponder had the most accurate throwing session of any signal caller inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The ideal West Coast quarterback, Ponder emerges from the six-day affair gaining steam as a potential first-round pick.

Last week, we discussed Dareus' competition with Nick Fairley to be the first defensive tackle drafted. Coming out of the Combine, Dareus has emerged as the clear favorite. The former 3-4 college defensive end ran a 1.66 ten-yard split to best Fairley's time by a full tenth of a second, doing it with 28 more pounds on his frame than his SEC adversary. While Fairley opted out of the bench press altogether, Dareus hoisted 225 pounds 24 times with nearly 34-inch arms. Dareus is considered to possess a better motor and technique than Fairley, showed more up-field burst in Indy, and projects as a significantly superior run stopper. Dareus will go to Denver in our next mock draft.

Jones weighed in an inch shorter than his 6-foot-4 listing, but showed incredible explosiveness on the track. At 220 pounds, Jones ran 4.39 to rank third among receivers, and his 11'3" broad jump lapped the wideout field with only small-school flyer Edmund Gates (10'11") coming close. Jones also showed his trademark toughness, participating in all Combine drills on a broken foot. He needs surgery to repair the fracture, but has probably locked himself into the top-ten picks.

When receivers lined up for their forty-yard dashes Saturday morning, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock called Hankerson's "the most important time of the week." The 6-foot-2, 209-pound prospect proceeded to run the fourth fastest forty among wide receivers in Indianapolis, clocking in at 4.43. Also possessing the biggest hands (10 5/8") of any wideout at the Scouting Combine, Hankerson vaulted himself into consideration for the back end of the first round. Naysayers point to a drop or two in the Gauntlet Drill, but very few NFL decision makers put stock in that workout.

Even the Fighting Illini's closest supporters were stunned when Wilson declared for the draft, and as an underclassman ineligible for postseason all-star games, he needed a dominant Combine to make the decision worthwhile. Wilson delivered, running the best forty of any linebacker in Indy (4.49) at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. Wilson's speed is freakish, and at his position only surefire first-round picks Justin Houston and Von Miller showed more lower-body explosion in the standing long jump (10'4"). Wilson also benefits from being the cream of a weak inside linebacker crop.

Helu has flown well under the radar for a back who averaged 6.62 YPC in one of college football's most predictably run-first offenses, but stated his case to be a day-two pick in Indy. Running a 4.42 forty that ranked sixth among running backs, Helu also posted the best 20-yard shuttle time (4.01), fastest 60-yard shuttle (11.07), and second best three-cone drill (6.67). If folks are sleeping on the one-cut tackle breaker, it's not because of Helu's size (6'0/219) or respectable pass-catching background (54 career receptions). Some team is going to get a steal this April.

No player in this draft class can touch LeGree's 22 career interceptions, but as an FCS small-schooler there were plenty of questions about his athleticism. LeGree didn't burn up the track with his 4.56 forty, but it was the second fastest among all safeties in Indianapolis. Also weighing in at a solid 5'11 1/2" and 210 pounds, LeGree is on the radar as a possible third-round pick.

Fannin never topped 84 carries in a college season and played behind freshman Michael Dyer for last year's BCS champs, but his measurables are intriguing. At 5'10/231, Fannin turned in the second fastest forty time (4.38) among running backs, behind only injury-prone Maryland carry sharer Da'Rel Scott. Fannin is built to pass protect and is Auburn's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards by a running back. He has the look of a homerun-hitting third-down ace.

Mallett impressed in Combine throwing drills against no pass rush, but everyone knows he can spin it. What hurt Mallett was his media interview, which has been described as a "train wreck" more than once and will be replayed over and over leading up to the draft. Mallett needed to go to Indianapolis poised, confident, and truthful, and in a public setting proved nowhere near ready to be a leader. FOX Sports' Adam Caplan has dropped the strong-armed passer to sixth in his latest quarterback rankings, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Mallett fall all the way to the third round.

Fairley hardly had a disaster Combine, but being passed by Marcell Dareus on the majority of draft boards is going to hurt him on April 28. Fairley weighed in more than an inch shorter and seven pounds lighter than his college listing, and at 291 pounds is unlikely to appeal to 3-4 teams. Fairley did run an impressive 4.87 forty time considering his size, but that won't help his stock much because defensive tackles never have to run forty yards. The ten-yard split is much more telling.

Little exhibited impressive athleticism in the forty-yard dash (4.53), vertical leap (40 1/2"), and standing long jump (10'9"), and even led the wide receiver field with 27 reps of 225 pounds. He's clearly been staying in shape. Unfortunately, NFL teams are much more concerned that Little was "less than truthful" during Combine Q&As after an NCAA suspension cost him his entire senior season. As Lance Zierlein of the Houston Chronicle pointed out, "Scouts already know the answers, Little." Which makes it all the more unwise for Little to lie to them.

Like Little, Clayborn's problems aren't athletic. The 6-foot-3, 281-pound pass rusher recorded a solid 1.66 ten-yard split (the same as 319-pound Dareus) and 4.13 short shuttle, to go with a 4.83 forty time. Clayton's red flags have to do with his medical. ESPN's Tony Softli reported just before the Combine that Clayborn suffers from Erb's Palsy, which affects the right side of his body. SI's Don Banks predicts that Clayborn will "probably slip some" because of the condition. His right arm is "mal-developed" and has forced Clayborn to play only right end. Coming off a poor senior season and lacking versatility, Clayborn is no longer a first-round shoo-in.

More Clayborn measurables: 32 1/2" arms, could not bench due to arm injury, 33" vertical

Rodgers is supposed to be a dynamic scatback in the Dexter McCluster or Darren Sproles mold. Sproles ran 4.48 at the 2005 Combine, while McCluster was timed as fast as 4.39 at his Pro Day last March. Shorter than both, Rodgers weighed in at 5-foot-5 7/8 and 196 pounds before running an alarmingly slow 4.64 forty in Indy. Rodgers' three-cone time (7.31) ranked dead last among tailbacks at the Combine, which figures to make Mayock reconsider his positional rankings.

Another athletic phenom with major character concerns, Smith did not disappoint in timed drills in Indy. The definition of a "size corner" at 6-foot-2 1/4 and 211 pounds, Smith blazed the track with an official 4.46 forty, unofficially timing as fast as 4.38. Smith also repped 225 pounds 24 times to rank second among cornerbacks at the Combine. Multiple reports have suggested Smith's poor football character will cost him dearly in April, however, and he admitted to only one past arrest in his media interview. Smith was arrested at least twice in college and failed multiple drug tests.

Black is one of the draft's top playmakers after picking off an eye-popping 33 passes in his last seven seasons of football, but he's too small to be so slow. Weighing in at 5-foot-9 1/2 and 184 pounds, Black recorded forty times of 4.74 and 4.78 while also failing to impress in the 60-yard shuttle (11.25) and three-cone drill (6.85). Of course, all of this could cause Black to be a great value on draft weekend. He led the Gators in tackles, interceptions, and forced fumbles last year.

No, Clay shouldn't have returned for his senior year in Madison, because Montee Ball and James White are better than him. He would've been weeded out of the rotation. Declaring for the draft was fine, but Clay showed in Indy that he lacks speed to last in the NFL. Despite dropping 30 pounds since the college season, Clay ran 4.87 to bring up the rear among running backs at the Combine. It's a time that will get Clay lumped in with fullbacks and torpedo his draft stock.